One newly “mined” source of information about Dr. Schwartz’ progress in thought regarding Strength Endurance, Panaerobics, Isotonometrics, and Long Strength, and Panaerobics comes from patents filed with the US Patent Office on a variety of topics

Of course, there are the original patents for his “HeavyHands” weights called the “Apparatus for exercising that is used with a hand“ or “Aerobic Hand Weights” in the patent filings, but in this blog, the patents of most interest are the ones related to Schwartz’ strength endurance methods, a strength endurance exercise device, and even the method of clasping his hands as he performed weight free four limb exercise!

The author continues to discover them and “decipher” them … if the reader knows of others, posting such links in the comments would be greatly appreciated!

“Fitness Method” (Hand Clasps)

This method came to be known as “isotonometrics” as far as this writer can tell. The image at the top of this page comes from this patent filing. It used hand clasps instead of weights to produce a similar effect for anyone who did not care to use weights for whatever reason. Once one sees Dr. Schwartz working out “in place” in this heavyhands video at DailyMotion, it is simple to imagine these or similar movements joined to the hand clasps described in the patent at the link.

Here is how Dr. Schwartz described his method in the patent itself:
A fitness method for an exerciser combines the benefits of isometric-like exercising with isotonic exercising for simultaneous training of the exerciser’s cardiovascular and skeletal musculature systems and strength and endurance buildup. The method entails coupling the exerciser’s hands together in any one of a number of configurations and generating an isometric-like force during the coupling stage. The coupled hands can then be moved in any number of directions or coupled differently while maintaining or varying the isometric-like force during the movement. In addition, further training can be achieved by moving one or more other body parts during the coupled hand movement. The legs, torso, shoulders, and/or neck can be moved in any number of directions or sequences to exercise different muscle groups in conjunction with the muscle groups being worked by the movement of the coupled hands.

Alternatively, author Marty Gallagher – friend and admirer of Dr. Schwartz – describes his adaptation of the “isotonometrics” principles adapted from Dr. Schwartz’ findings in his chapter on “Third Way Cardio” in his book “The Purposeful Primitive”.

“Strength Endurance Method” and

“Strength Endurance Exercise Apparatus”

These related patents describe first the “Method” and then the suggested “Apparatus” for developing “strength endurance” (aka “Long Strength”) through the use of four limb bodyweight exercise using the patented device Dr. Schwartz developed.

While thousands of handweights were in production after Dr. Schwartz’ book, Schwartz student John McKean said only three of the devices described in the patent were ever made. It was called the “Pan-X” machine. Once the patent’s images are seen, it’s obvious that Dr. Schwartz’ device would have had strong competition from today’s “Suspension Trainers” or “Power Tower” (i.e. dip and pull up station)

Here is how Dr. Schwartz’ patent filing represents what he was trying to accomplish:

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is related to a method of exercising which uses both the arms and legs to perform sustained aerobic and strength conditioning movements…. In a preferred embodiment, the rhythmic bipedal movements includes jogging.The rhythmic bipedal movements can also include scissor kicking in a forward/backward direction or in a sideways direction. Alternatively, the rhythmic bipedal movements includes alternate leg lifting. Preferably, during alternate leg lifting, the user dips on his stationary leg. Leg lifting can include kicking in the forward direction or kicking in the backward direction. In a preferred embodiment, forward kicking includes the step of high knee kicking. Alternatively, alternate leg lifting can beperformed to the side. In another preferred embodiment, the rythmatic bipedal movements includes the step of leaning from side to side…..

Students of Dr. Schwartz will find good information in these patents to help understand his thinking in the development of exercise that did not rely on weights to achieve excellent aerobic and strength gains. While they are not as precise as a book might be, they do spark the imagination and allow the potential user to derive exercise movements from those explicitly listed, or discern underlying principles so that other exercise combinations might be created by the individual user as Dr. Schwartz anticipated.
Enjoy!

Dr. Leonard Schwartz created a video to demonstrate the performance of “isotonometrics”. Oddly enough the video title did not include the name!

The video is still available in VHS format: WholeBody Fitness for Seniors

If that is no longer available, the reader can read the patent filing related to “hand clasps” or “isotonometrics” and envision how they might be used along with Dr. Schwartz’ “in place” exercise moves shown here with weights at DailyMotion.

From Dr. Schwartz’ patent filing, here is his intended result for the type of exercise revealed in the video:

A fitness method for an exerciser combines the benefits of isometric-like exercising with isotonic exercising for simultaneous training of the exerciser’s cardiovascular and skeletal musculature systems and strength and endurance buildup. The method entails coupling the exerciser’s hands together in any one of a number of configurations and generating an isometric-like force during the coupling stage. The coupled hands can then be moved in any number of directions or coupled differently while maintaining or varying the isometric-like force during the movement. In addition, further training can be achieved by moving one or more other body parts during the coupled hand movement. The legs, torso, shoulders, and/or neck can be moved in any number of directions or sequences to exercise different muscle groups in conjunction with the muscle groups being worked by the movement of the coupled hands.

Though the video is intended for “seniors”, any fitness enthusiast may use the method. It was designed for anyone wishing to exercise without hand weights for whatever reason. Using this method, it is easily possible for even well conditioned athletes to do enough work to obtain a whole body aerobic effect as long as all four limbs are engaged in some fashion in a steady movement. Adding speed, pressure to the hand clasp, adding self-imposed tension in other areas of the body apart from the handclasp, or some combination of all these will ensure that the person exercising with this method is able to raise their heart rate into the “aerobic training range”.

Like all of Schwartz’ exercise protocols, the cardinal rule is to engage as much muscle tissue from as many body sectors as possible throughout the movement. This minimizes the stress on any one muscle group, reduces overall soreness after exercise, and processes the most oxygen in the quickest amount of time to mimic the cross country skiers who were his original inspiration.

So was this “isometrics”? Or “dynamic tension”? Or something else? That will be explored in a future article!

Here’s an illustration of the “Good Morning Dip” by John McKean, a student of Dr. Len Schwartz and advocate of “Longstrength” training for weight lifters.

The “Good Morning” is another name for the “forward bend”… like that done when “touching your toes”.

A “Dip” is a “pushup” or “press up” on two parallel bars that allow the body to be suspended in mid air and lowered, then raised.

Most of us cannot do the “Dip” exercise aerobically! Even if we could, it would not mean Dr. Schwartz’ criteria of engaging multiple muscle groups at the same time to reduce the effort expended by any SINGLE group!

So Dr. Schwartz combined these two exercises into one… so that it would activate the chest, shoulders, arms, and lower back with each of these muscle groups offering support so the movement could be done for a long time!

The exercise is so are… nobody has made a video even!

If dipping bars are not available, people have been known to use home made dipping bars

Home made dipping bars courtesy “Back To Primal”

You could also use the backs of two sturdy chairs. Others use “walkers” that people who are not stable enough to walk use to get around! You could even use the surface of a washing machine or kitchen counter or other elevated surface. Adjusting the handles on a suspension trainer should work as well!

Whatever you choose to work out with, bend forward while letting your arms guide you down while under control. Using your back and arms, come erect again. This exercise should allow your arms to do many more “pushups” (“press ups”) or “dips” than could otherwise be done because of the back involvement. At the same time, your lower back is getting the assistance of the arms. While this movement may not seem too taxing, done in sufficient number, it can quickly elevate the heart rate to gain or maintain the heart rate in one’s “training range” (see note below).

To add difficulty to the move, it can be done “on the toes” throughout the movement or end in a calf raise. More or less weight can be shifted to the chest and arms if one feels those body parts are being cheated and more shifted to the back later. One should always be conscious of involving the lower back in this movement, however, to help the back muscles remain strong and enduring in their own right!

Combined with the “Squat Pull” or “Squat Row”, “Good Morning Dips” may be the only two exercises needed for a complete “Longstrength” or “Panaerobic” workout… but we’ll discuss more exercises soon!

Note: Training range is determined by this formula : [220 – (# of years)] * (50%-80% depending on relative fitness). A very fit 40 year old might seek to maintain a heart rate of 144 during an extended training period. That is derived from the formula of (220-40)*80%. See your physician for guidance in exercising and determining a proper “training rate” or “training range” for your particular condition!

In Dr. Schwartz’ patent for “Strength Endurance Method” he describes what became his “Pan-X” exercise apparatus. While he has a separate patent for that device, he mentions it in order to describe his strength endurance method.

He describes a number of exercises for his strength endurance method and one is a version of “jogging”.

Why is it suitable for “longstrength”?

Here is an interesting passage from the patent filing that relates both to “jogging” with Dr. Schwartz’ device and other exercises he envisioned using too.

Dr. Schwartz had previously added “Heavyhands” to walking, jogging and running to maximize the aerobic value of those exercises. In his development of “Longstrength” theory, he envisioned using the body’s own weight to exercise both the upper and lower body in order to build not only aerobic capacity but muscles capable of exerting greater strength over longer than average times. Here is how that would have transformed “jogging” into a “Longstrength” exercise – by making it a “whole body” movement:

[The Pan-X device] used in “whole body” jogging movements in which the upper body is clearly a most active participant. “Press-ups” and “pull-ups” performed by the arms on the [cross bars of the device] add substantial upper torso work to these in-place ambulatory movements. Additional work may be included by lateral movements of the upper body (side-leans) and abduction/adduction movements of the thighs are options…. Thus, the goal of the method is to maximizethe “continuous strength” of a growing assessment of skeletal muscle groups, all within the framework of cardiovascular training. The measurable fitness levels achievable by this method cannot be duplicated by any combination of current conventional strategies, regardless of the complexity, size and overall expense of the equipment subserving those strategies. Further, those well trained by virtue of this method will find themselves able to enhance their performance at most conventional exercises and most forms of sport.

The nature of the additional strength made available by training with this method apparatus and its prescribed techniques is likely to be consistent with the development of “new” skeletal muscle mass which is structurally to be distinguished from that resulting from conventional strength training. It is believed that certain microscopic elements, i.e., intercellular capillaries and intracellular mitochondria will increase in number and density in skeletal muscles. In contrast, it is generally agreed that the distribution of such microscopic elements so crucial to continuous rhythmic work capacity are reduces or remain stable during prolonged conventional weight training.

In terms of agility, this method is employed to fuse strength and endurance and also makes for enhanced motor skill consistent with our general definitions of agility. This unique “whole body” mobility continues to improve along with additions of strength and endurance. Dance-like movements, compound movements, shifts [in position on the device], and sprints represent a few of the categories of movement choices that both require and add to the quality of agility that can be gained uniquely from this exercise.

In terms of pure strength, this method is apt to gain considerable strength and most of this will be of the continuous or “Longstrength” variety. This does not preclude training for a pure strength which can also be performed within the constraints of this method. Various pull-ups and press-ups during which the body’s weight is shared very little make for this option.Pure leg strength may be added in the form of one legged squats performed [with the device], first using a slight arm assist, gradually utilizing the leg musculature alone. Abdominal strength may be acquired by a number of movements in which the upper body segment is flexed against resistance,or during movements which require the lower body segment to flex upward while the feet are held off the floor, either while working [at various positions on the device]. Again, these strength movements can either represent the user’s total full strength training or be used as adjuncts to strength training of the conventional sort.

In terms of flexibility, this method makes possible a unique approach to the acquisition and maintenance of flexibility. Given the support of the body at both [various positions on the device], whole body flexibility can be attained in either the “static” or “dynamic” mode. The hands can control the force which is applied to any of a large series of stretching movements that also eventuate in increased ranges of motion at the joints (an essential ingredient in most definitions of flexibility)….

Jogging while supporting oneself with the arms is a whole exercise, which happens to include something that remotely resembles what runners do when they call what they doing. But the hang time is different when compared with conventional running. 120 steps/minute can be achieved with the arms supporting the body. This is impossible during an unsupported jog.

So Dr. Schwartz envisioned a mode of jogging or running that would end up training the whole body because the arms would be supporting the body during the exercise and be activated as they supported the running movement. Pressing up, pulling up, supporting the body’s weight, etc. would strengthen the arms and the “core” while the legs were being actively exercised and aerobic capacity developed.

One of his main students John McKean never mentions this exercise. Dr. Schwartz himself sees it almost as a form of “active rest” in between more “tiring” exercises based on the above description. In any case, “whole body jogging” or even “dancing” is mentioned as one of the key elements in the development of “longstrength” and, if only for variety, practitioners may want to know how to do this exercise.

While only three prototypes of Dr. Schwartz’ “Pan-X” apparatus were made, the exercise he describes can be mimicked with very good results on any suspension trainer suspended over even a small carpeted area and used in conjunction with “furniture sliders” compatible with carpet.

Here’s a youtube video of the kind of exercise that could pass for “Jogging” for those interested in “Longstrength” instead of old fashioned “aerobics”.

While you’re using the carpet sliders, remember to try Dr. Schwartz’ suggested “scissor movements”, side to side bending, and different ways of supporting your body while sliding, jogging or “dancing”. It may turn out to be a lot more taxing than the “active rest” Dr. Schwartz seemed to envision!

Note: When he asserts that “intracellular mitochondria will increase” as a result of this exercise, he is laying a basis for the claims mentioned in Marty Gallagher’s discussion of “Third Way Cardio” in “Purposeful Primitive” that describe so-called “super hybrid muscle” that have not only endurance but a higher general level of strength as well. As Gallagher noted, other trainers spoke of this possibility and sought to achieve it through adaptations to traditional training, but Schwartz did so with a physician and researcher’s reserve and with his own unique methods (other methods tend to be based on more traditional weight training).

In a previous post on Isotonometrics, the question was asked: “So was this “isometrics”? Or “dynamic tension”? Or something else? That will be explored in a future article!” This is that article.

Dr. Schwartz’s extant writings interact from time to time with the systems advocated by other fitness experts who are mentioned by name, like Charles Atlas. He is always courteous but clear about how his viewpoint differs and what advantages he believes it to have.

So how did Leonard Schwartz see his work in relationship to Charles Atlas’ “dynamic tension” and “isometrics’? The answer is found in his patent filing on “Fitness Method” with some observations drawn from the Charles Atlas course itself.

Dr. Schwartz writes:

…the concept of dynamic tension or isometrics is well known, having been popularized by Charles Atlas many years ago. The concept of isometrics involves pitting one or more muscle groups against other muscle groups in a stationary fashion. Typically, one hand of an exerciser is pushed against or pulled apart from the other hand with the other hand imparting an opposite and generally equal force. Neither hand nor the exerciser’s body is typically moved during the pushing or pulling of the hands.

One of the drawbacks to the system of isometrics is the inability to generate sufficiently large workloads to involve the circulation (heart rate especially) appreciably. For one thing, the duration of each isometric exercise is too brief; for another the muscle mass involved in the exercise was generally too small. Consequently, isometric exercise only provides strength improvement and does not contribute to endurance, flexibility, aerobic training or the like.

Technically, Charles Atlas’ “Dynamic Tension” and Dr. Schwartz’ “Isotonometrics” are not “isometric” because they are not static holds. Movement is involved in each. Schwartz is correct though in that most Dynamic Tension and Isometric exercises attempt to isolate relatively small muscle groups, though some isometric exercises like the Kiveloff protocol seek a simultaneous “whole body isometric”.

“[Isotonometrics is a] fitness method that combines isometric-like physical activity with isotonic physical activity to achieve both endurance and strength.”

The Charles Atlas course of exercises taught the development of the body’s various muscle groups by way of specialization and isolation. His exercises were varied. Some were “dynamic tension” with limb to limb resistance. Others were “isotonic” exercises… well known calisthenics like his pushup variation, deep knee bends, lunges and, even, running. In general, however, there was no emphasis on involving all the limbs or the majority of the body’s muscle groups at the same time. One exception to this is a modified “burpee” that is demonstrated by Atlas in Lesson 6, Exercise 2. From the squatting position, the legs are kicked back. It is not a commonly known burpee that usually starts and ends in the standing position and may include a pushup or many other variants. In general, however, Schwartz’ assessment of Atlas’ dynamic tension approach and isometrics in general was correct regarding the tendency toward isolating individual muscles and muscle groups.

Dr. Schwartz’ method of “Isotonometrics” in contrast seeks to involve as much muscle simultaneously as possible (a common feature of all his exercise recommendations). To involve as much upper body muscle as possible, he advocates a form of “dynamic tension” with broad movements with as much range and muscle involvement as possible for the upper body while activating the lower body with trunk bends, twists, knee bending, stepping, and lunging. He also envisioned arm to leg resistance exercises and leg to leg resistance exercises as part of his system.

Though Dr. Schwartz advocated innovation and flexibility in arm movements to avoid boredom, some of his “handclasps” and “handtrails” resemble the Atlas system. For example, in Lesson 1, Exercise 3, Mr. Atlas has an exercise that involves pulling on an imaginary rope from head to thigh. The motion of the downward hand activates the “latissiums dorsi” muscles among others which pull the arm down and backwards while the motion is resisted by the bottom hand which activates the biceps, frontal deltoid, and trapezius muscles which pull the arm upward. Obviously to exercise both sides of the body, the dominant hand must be changed half way through the chosen number of repetitions.

The “rope pulling” movement and several others in the same lesson are perfectly in line Schwartz “Isotonometrics”… the difference, however, is that in Schwartz’ method they would likely be performed at lower tension to accommodate higher repetitions and in conjunction with lower body movements or even dance like movements.

Schwartz’ Isotonometrics had several similarities to the Charles Atlas system while building on the results of modern understandings of training to produce cardiac and general muscular endurance. Both incorporated “dynamic tension” and “isotonic” (calisthenic) exercise though not technically “isometrics” in the form of the static holds studied, for instance, by the Max Planck Institute. Unlike Atlas, Schwartz consciously used predominantly upper body dynamic tension work to replace the use of hand weights for that purpose. Whether using weights or “dynamic tension”, the use of the upper body along with traditional lower limb cardio was to mimic the high oxygen processing of Nordic skiers while minimizing the stress and injury potential on any one body part.

There is a enough similarity in outward exercise forms between the two systems that a number of upper and lower body exercises from the Atlas course could conceivably be combined to form “whole body” movements. If those cojoined exercises were performed with a tension that allowed the activation of muscles for long enough time to create an aerobic effect, the untrained eye could not really tell the difference between the Atlas dynamic tension and isotonic moves combined and adapted for endurance training and the Schwartz Isotonometric moves.

Dr. Schwartz’ HeavyHands – A Unique Contribution to the field of Exercise and Weight Loss

Though with each passing month the newsstands are filled with new magazines, books, and articles promoting the latest weight loss or exercise “secret”, the truth is an unsung hero created a method of exercise a few decades ago that would help most folks gain the physical prowess and ability to burn fat they crave. His name was Leonard Schwartz and he, himself, was walked the path most of us face. Fat, out of shape, and a chronic smoker… he was no candidate to live as long as he did. Nobody would have ever guessed the slight psychiatrist would go down in history as an exercise visionary!

Convinced in his 50’s of the need to change or die, he took up the recommended exercise protocol of his time: “aerobics”, i.e. “jogging”. That started to work. Jogging 1500 to 2000 miles per year, his racing heart rate slowly dropped from 80 beats per minute to 60. That was slow progress to him, but it was better than nothing. The reduction in resting heart rates indicated his growing fitness, yet he did not find it satisfactory by any stretch.

About that time, a hamstring injury sidelined him. He was left needing to exercise aerobically, but unable to follow the medical advice of the day. He was forced to start searching for an alternative. He found his answer in the exercise research. Cross country skiers who used their arms AND their legs to exercise processed more oxygen and had greater aerobic capacity than any runner. So why did the “experts” only focus on using the lower extremities to exercise? He started to search for a way around his hamstring injury that made running impossible.

First he tried swinging a baseball bat while doing deep knee bends. Ultimately he chose a different path, but the quest for a “full body” aerobic (hence the name “panaerobic”) workout never left him. Every exercise method he developed thereafter emphasized the principles he discovered after that hamstring injury:

Simultaneous Exercise – like those cross country skiers, the most aerobic benefit with the lowest level of perceived exertion comes when as much muscle mass is harnessed as possible. That means all four limbs are engaged and working together! Why? Because the arms and upper body are as effective “aerobic drivers” as the legs… and, because, compared to the legs, the aerobic capacity of the upper body has much more “upside potential”.

In plain English that means lifting HeavyHands properly during a 2.5 mph leisurely walk easily make the aerobic effect of a slow walk comparable to a 6 mph job without hand weights! Mimicking a cross country skier (the “Double Ski Pole” exercise) is perhaps the most aerobically powerful single exercise ever tested by the University of Pittsburgh scientists who helped Schwartz prove his every assertion!

Strength and Endurance – It wasn’t until Dr. Schwartz started working out with his “HeavyHands” weights that his heart rate moved below 60 down to the rate of approximately 40-50 beats per minute. When he added “strength moves” such as Double Ski Poling which he could perform with over 20% of his bodyweight for over an hour, his heart rate settled at 35 beats per minute!

Oddly enough, his HeavyHands method called for deceptively low weights. While strength athletes might lift hundreds of pounds in the Bench Press, Squat, or Deadlift in single lifts, all but the most advanced HeavyHands moves could be done with weights under 15 pounds! The difference is that Schwartz’ sculpted body, superior aerobic capacity, and great strength per pound (more on that later) came through high repetition exercise and increasing weight loads over time!

In fact, at times the lower the weight, the better! Ideally, the weights would be lifted repeatedly to “Level 3″ (moved overhead from the starting position at the hip). The people who “tried” HeavyHands and found it inadequate (even supposedly sophisticated researchers) failed because, universally, they assumed the small weights were to be “carried” instead of hefted quickly and repeatedly throughout the course of exercise.

Before moving on to the main topic of this article, it pays to ask just how strong and enduring was Dr. Schwartz?

Tom Furman relates this incident that is perhaps the most dramatic:

In 1982 Dr. Leonard Schwartz wrote, “Heavy Hands, The Ultimate Exercise”. It is an enjoyable book that is fascinating till this day. It contains many exercises including the “double ski pole” exercise. This motion follows the patterns of a Cross Country or Downhill Skier driving his poles into the snow and applying the full force of the body. Dr. Schwartz’ exercise uses handweights and a lunging step. You can do it on a track, uphill, (downhill can be tricky!), or in the small confines of an apartment. You can stand in one spot with a foot in a cast and do it as well. According to Len Schwartz, this exercise has the highest aerobic out of any upright movement.
In his experiments, the good Dr. has done this exercise with 23 % of his bodyweight for two hours. He logged 4200 arm cycles and 16,800 small paces. At 132 lbs. of bodyweight, this works out to be around 30 pounds total or two 15 lb. Heavy Hands. Previously he would spend days in bed with back pain. (Previous to changing his lifestyle). He said his back felt absolutely supple after this workout.

Let’s do the math. For someone 150lbs. this would be 17.25 pound Heavy Hands. For someone of 180 lbs. it would be 20.7 lb weights. 200 lbs. ??…..Around 23lbs.

As Furman asks… could you do 4200 reps with two dumbells each weight over 10% of your bodyweight? That remains an astounding display of strength and endurance!

Weightlifter John McKean who posed for photos in Dr. Schwartz’ “HeavyHands Walking Book” related in some personal email that before his death Dr. Schwartz performed 1200 pushups during the commercial breaks of a Pittsburgh Steeler’s game. On an exercise device he created for bodyweight exercise called the “Pan-X”, Dr. Schwartz could perform 35 chinups in the “L-position”… a sign of excellent arm and abdominal strength.

So why can we call HeavyHands a unique contribution to the field of exercise and weight loss?

Hopefully the first part has been answered. Dr. Schwartz himself was proof enough that a chubby and out of shape psychiatrist could become a lean, sculpted figure! His exploits of “strength endurance” are unparalleled in some ways. The scientific references that populate his books prove that Schwartz had found a way to drastically reduce the time and perceived effort of productive exercise!

But what about weight loss?

Here are some reasons Dr. Schwartz gave regarding HeavyHands’ unique ability to help people lose or maintain their weight:

• Energy consumption increases when pumping even light 2 lb Heavyhands by an average of 200% compared with ordinary walking without hand weights

• [HeavyHands users experience] a range of 30-300% increase in energy consumption (The Physician and Sportsmedicine, June 1987)

• Consumes approximately 450-600+ calories per hour (compared with 350 calories per hour for normal walking at 3.5 mph)

• Heavyhands can be practiced for relatively long periods, i.e. between half an hour and two hours at a time, or in 5-10 minute “exercise bites” throughout the day.

Schwartz never mentioned the ability of Heavyhands to maintain and build lean muscle mass for those who may otherwise be dieting. But the ability to maintain or even increase lean muscle mass means that – even at rest – the body burns more calories. Perhaps that’s why Dr. Schwartz said he could eat as much as a young horse and never gain weight!

Why is that? Dr. Schwartz exercise patents give a clue as to “why” HeavyHands is so powerful for fat burning. He believed that the muscle created when users performed “HeavyHands” were unique. They had increased numbers of “mitochondria” to power them. It’s these cellular furnaces that may facilitate easier weight loss than the muscles of sedentary folk.

As strange as it may seem, despite the benefits, despite the relatively low cost or training to start, and the amazing benefits of HeavyHand exercise… the exercise has in many ways died out. Surely Dr. Schwartz’ untimely death was partly to blame. Soon after his passing, manufacturers exited the market. There was much more profit potential chasing the “latest greatest” fad it seemed.

Still, some people recognize the value of Dr. Schwartz’ work still today. For them, HeavyHands weights are occasionally still available on Ebay.com … their supply is sporadic and the selection of weights is generally pathetic.

Thankfully entrepreneur Michael Senoff of WeightedHands.com began producing replacement weights and also specialized ergonomic handles for “HeavyHands” exercise, the prospects for finding new equipment were virtually nill. Now, thanks to Senoff, the HeavyHands enthusiast can progress from the smallest weights used at the beginning to the heavier weights required for maximum strength endurance development. Finally, people are able to progress as far as they want using HeavyHands. Once again, Dr. Schwartz’ proven methods are helping a new generation of exercise and weight loss enthusiasts.